The all groups consumer price index (CPI) for Adelaide rose 0.3% during the December quarter 2009, while the weighted average of the eight capital cities increased by 0.5% in the same period. Adelaide's CPI increased by 2.0% in the year ending December quarter 2009, compared with a 2.1% rise in the weighted average of the eight capital cities.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - ALL GROUPS, Quarterly change

Adelaide's largest percentage increases in prices from the previous quarter were in the areas of Food (1.3%) and Recreation (1.3%). The largest decreases in prices from the previous quarter were for Health (1.0%) and Transportation (0.8%).

CPI GROUPS, Quarterly change, Adelaide - December Quarter 2009

WAGE PRICE INDEX

The wage price index for all employee jobs in South Australia increased by 0.7% (in original terms) between the June and September quarters 2009. This was less than the national increase of 0.9% over the same period.

Preliminary estimates show that, for the third consecutive quarter, the price index for established houses for Adelaide (in original terms) has increased with the December quarter 2009 2.1% higher than the previous quarter. Price rises were also recorded in all other capital cities between the September and December quarters 2009 resulting in an increase in the price index for the weighted average of the eight capital cities of 5.2% over this period. Adelaide (2.1%) and Canberra (3.6%) were the capitals with the smallest increases whilst Melbourne (6.8%) recorded the largest increase.

ESTABLISHED HOUSE PRICES, Quarterly change, Adelaide

Over the year to the December quarter 2009, preliminary estimates show the price index for established houses for Adelaide rose 5.1%, while the weighted average of the eight capital cities increased 13.6%. Melbourne (19.7%) and Darwin (13.6%) recorded the largest increases whilst Adelaide's increase of 5.1% was the lowest of all the capital cities.